Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Thread Like Summary - Prime MQA Network Alternatives?

I’m really pleased and satisfied by the performance of my Meridian Prime/PSU. For the original retail price (£1,400) I’m not aware of anything that can beat its cost-effective performance.

Even so, I’ve further improved its already good performance by adding Kimber Kable Prime to PSU power cables (Russ Andrews), AQ NRG-X3 mains cable, and AQ Coffee USB cables. Additionally, my Meridian Prime is network capable, by adding a SOtM sMS-200 NEO Mini SE Network/Ethernet Bridge. The PrimePSU’s 12v outputs power the SOtM. I’m able to take advantage of the twin/balanced headphone outputs on Prime via a custom Russ Andrews adaptor.

A further future upgrade will update/replace my existing SOtM Network Bridge with a SOtM sMS-200 Ultra SE and a tX-USBultra SE (both with internal clock module).

Ideally, looking towards the future, I would like to replace these multiple boxes with a single MQA, Network capable Desktop (not portable) Headphone Amplifier/DAC with balanced XLR output. From what I can see, these are the options…

From Japan, for less than £3k, the TEAC UD-701N offers the required one-box solution at an ‘affordable’ price. Further enhancement, if required, is achieved by adding the TEAC CG-10M-A Master Clock Generator.

From Germany, the <£6k T+A HA 200 is promising - but the integral network connection is deliberately disabled and MQA is missing from the package.

From the UK, that leaves the all conquering dCS Bartok Apex, that has the requisite MQA, Network and Balanced XLR connection - for the price of a Trinnov Atitude32 16, that is.

My conclusion is that my ‘modified’ Meridian Prime/PSU is the best that I can obtain for my Focal Stellia Headphones at a modest price.

I fully understand why Meridian Prime/PSU was discontinued: the demise of USB Mini B.

It remains a hidden gem. It is far more ‘dynamic’ in its performance compared to the Naim Atom HE (as acknowledge by others that have auditioned it).

Feeding Prime with a filtered Ethernet signal significantly improves its performance compared to its standard RCA connectivity. However, my experience of connecting my Nucleus ‘clone’ to Prime directly via USB resulted in unacceptably dirty noise. This is the primary reason for utilising a Network/Ethernet Bridge to completely eliminate the issue.

Adding a SOtM tX-USBultra SE is an excellent method for removing such USB noise, as Audio Bacon reveals. It’s really worth every penny.

It’s a great pity that Meridian had to discontinue Prime. The TEAC unit mentioned earlier would be a terrific Prime/Meridian 210 replacement.

Or, Meridian could deliver an ultimate multi-component version of Prime - similar to the dCS Lina, consisting of separate DAC, Headphone Amplifier, and Master Clock.

Even so, if you already own Meridian Prime/PSU you are very fortunate - that can readily be improved by the additions that’s I’ve outlined above.

As for prices, SOtM products in the UK are only available via Elite Audio. They are an excellent company to deal with. Just ensure the product is supplied as 12v to use with the PrimePSU. AQ product prices are easily accessible - the caveat being that you will struggle to locate a brand-new USB Mini B cable.
The custom Kimber Link Cables for Meridian Prime/PSU are available from Russ Andrews.